India New England News, one of the largest Indian American digital news outlets serving the South Asian community, celebrated its annual “20 Under 20” awards for 2024 earlier this month. The event took place at the Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, Massachusetts, recognizing outstanding young individuals for their contributions and achievements in various fields.
The ceremony was hosted by Jharna Madan and was attended by around 100 people. Ayush Agrawal and Haasini Buddepu, both previous honorees, took on the role of emcees for the event. The keynote speaker this year was Nilanjana Bhowmik, a venture capitalist and founder of Boston-based Converge, an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in businesses addressing pressing needs. Bhowmik shared insights from her experience, inspiring the audience with her talk about the keys to success and leadership.
The “20 Under 20” award recipients were selected based on a variety of criteria, including their accomplishments in academics, entrepreneurship, extracurricular activities, community service, and talents in areas such as writing, arts, and music.
Host Jharna Madan expressed her excitement about the event’s success, saying, “The 20 Under 20 awards event was an incredible success. It was a joy to see the youth take charge, with young emcees guiding the evening flawlessly and youth volunteers stepping up to help make everything run smoothly.” She further praised the energy in the room, noting how the keynote address by Bhowmik left everyone deeply motivated. “With such passionate and talented young individuals leading the way, it’s clear the future is in good hands,” Madan added.
Haasini Buddepu, one of the event’s emcees, also shared her enthusiasm. “The awards event showcased a wide range of exceptional individuals! It was inspiring to see such a diverse group of young individuals who have already accomplished so much,” she said. Reflecting on her experience as a host, Buddepu added, “Being an MC at this event was definitely a very joyous experience. Ms. Bhowmik’s and Mr. Mishra’s mature talks were not only motivational but also thought-provoking. The lessons each person’s story shares are ones I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Ayush Agrawal, the other emcee for the event, expressed similar sentiments, describing his experience of being honored two years ago and now returning as a host for the second time. “Being honored in the 20 Under 20 two years ago was a defining moment, and emceeing the event last year and again this year has been an incredible full-circle experience,” Agrawal said. He added, “It’s inspiring to witness new generations of young leaders pushing boundaries and making their mark.”
The “20 Under 20” awards serve as a platform to honor and celebrate young talent from diverse fields, showcasing their potential to become future leaders.”
Source: theunn.com